Meet the Author

As an award winning blogger, David Butler helps others explore the world of craft beer in Northern Colorado. Fermentedly Challenged helps you find great places to enjoy a beer, listen to music, enjoy a meal and find a discount on your next pint. Follow along on social media - @ChipperDave on Twitter and on Facebook.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Today is Hug Your Sweetheart Day. Everyone needs a hug, especially that special person in your life. Give the one you love most a big hug today. It may just make their day. But if you can't be with your sweetheart today, send them a virtual hug instead. Cheers to the weekend! Summer is winding down. Enjoy these days while they last! Here's what's happening around the Colorado beerosphere today Friday, August 23rd, 2013. If you aren't reading this article on FermentedlyChallenged.com, you don't know what you're missing.

Lost Highway Brewing Co (Denver) - There's a sign in their window that says "Coming Soon" and the last update on their Facebook page says that they'd be pouring beer in August. With just 1 week left in the month, could the Cheeky Monk's brewery venture be nearly ready to open soon? Lost Highway plans to be a brewery that will embrace the Belgian-style of beer making. Keep an eye open at 520 E. Colfax in Denver, CO.

Black Fox Brewing Co (Denver) - Remember Black Fox Brewing? They closed down operations in Colorado Springs last year to possibly do a move to Denver. While they still don't have a location, they are brewing again. Brewer John Schneider announced on Facebook yesterday that Black Fox has brewed up a batch of Black Fox "Cracked" over at Dry Dock Brewing Company. This brew should be on tap in less than two weeks at Dry Dock. There's no word yet on the exact release date or if/when this beer will get distribution. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for upcoming news.Cannonball Creek Brewing (Golden) - This Saturday (8/24) at 3pm, CCBC will be tapping "Nebula", a brand new single hop IPA using a unique hop variety.

Boulder Beer Co (Boulder) - Are you going to Boulder Beer's annual Anniversary Beer Rave set for Saturday, September 7th from 2pm to 6pm at the brewery? The Beer Rave will showcase rare, “taproom only” draft beers from 34 outstanding Colorado breweries, in addition to 12 Brewer’s Choice specialty beers from the Boulder Beer brewers including barrel-aged, cask and pilot brews. Tickets cost $30 and are on sale at www.boulderbeer.com or in person through the Boulder Beer Pub. “Guests can look forward to a casual, laid back day in the sun, tasting some of the most underground, experimental beers made in Colorado, all for a good cause,” said Tess McFadden, Director of Fun at Boulder Beer Company. “We couldn't think of a better way to spend our 34th Anniversary!” This year’s ticket sale proceeds will benefit the Boulder B-Cycle Program and the Colorado Brewers Guild. To offer support to the fundraising aspect of the Rave, sandwiches are being donated by Jimmy John’s to feed all guests during the event. Live music is also being provided by Riff Raff, who is playing free of charge.

Odd13 Brewing (Lafayette) - There's a new beer on tap tonight at Odd13. Stop in for some "Professor Hops IPA" - fermented with Saison yeast. It's taps around 5:30pm tonight. Enjoy a pint with some Dukes BBQ.

Gravity Brewing (Louisville) - What are you doing on Saturday, September 7th? Well, you should think about attending Gravity's 1st Annual Anniversary Party from 12pm to 10pm. There will be special beer tappings, a variety of tasty food options and live music from "Full Belly" from 6pm - 9:30pm. Tapping this kind of Gravity won't weigh you down!

Upslope Brewing (Boulder) - More proof that Fall is coming - Upslope is backing nearly 1000 pounds of local baby bear pumpkins today to make their Pumpkin Ale. Won't be long until those gourds are in the brew kettle and put into cans.

Northern Colorado

Wiley Roots Brewing Co (Greeley) - Greeley's newest brewery is debuting their new Mug Club today. Sign up for their Mug Club and earn rewards. Each visit with the purchase of a pint earns 1 punch. Get 1 Free pint after 5 punches. Get 1 Free growler refill after 10 punches. Get 1 Free hat or t-shirt after 15 punches. If you get 20 punches, you'll earn a 20oz mug, refillable at the 16oz pint price. Limit 1 punch per member per day. Punches are only awarded for beer pint purchases starting August 23rd, 2013. Visit them at 625 3rd Street, Unit D in Greeley, CO.

Big Beaver Brewing (Loveland) - Their fall seasonal, Beaver Patch Ale, a Belgian-style pumpkin spiced ale, is returning for another season on Saturday, August 24th. It's got hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and vanilla. Get some FREE samples this weekend when you stop in to Big Beaver. They'll also have the Broncos/Rams game on this Saturday as well as live music from Shaefer Welch on Sunday from 3:30pm to 6:00pm. Also, look for Big Beaver to be pouring at the upcoming Fall harvest Brewfest on September 6th as well as the Loveland Oktoberfest on September 20th and 21st.

New Belgium Brewing (Ft. Collins) - Head to their tasting room at 6:00pm as they are holding a liquidation sale on New Belgium shirts, tackers, posters and other awesome items. If you spend $10 or more, you'll be entered into a contest to win a New Belgium Cruiser bike! That chance alone is worth the visit.

City Star Brewing (Berthoud) - Looking for a brew to spruce your life up with? How about their "Treeline Pale Ale". This brew is made with fresh spruce tips from the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Just 1 keg of this on tap so don't wait to try this.

Buckhorn Brewers (Loveland) - Tomorrow, Saturday August 24th, Buckhorn will be tapping their new Buckhorn Bitter. Just a kegs worth was made - stop in, check out the new brewery and give it a taste.

Fort Collins Brewery (Ft. Collins) - Stop by the taproom on Sunday, August 25th from 5pm to 9pm for their "Out of the Ashes" Rauchbier Release Party featuring a special smoked beer and food menu. Live music from "Better Than Bacon" ($5 cover).

Southern Front Range

Paradox Beer Co (Woodland Park) - Three new bottle releases this week from Paradox Beer Company including: Pepitas Grande (barrel-aged dark pumpkin), Self Esteem (barrel-aged amber) and Skully Barrel No. 4 (dark sour ale with elderberries). Bottles are available in the tasting room if you can't find it in local stores.

Front Range BBQ (Colorado Springs) - Eric from FocusOnTheBeer.com is setting up another "Meet the Brewer" night over at Front Range BBQ on Thursday, September 5th at 7:00pm. This time they will be welcoming Don Chapman of Loveland's own "Grimm Brothers Brewhouse". Don will be bringing along several Grimm Bros brews to try including: Farmers Daughter (Oktoberfest), 3 Golden Hairs, Dragon Slayer, Little Red Cap, Fearless Youth, and Snow Cap.

Ute Pass Brewing Co (Woodland Park) - At long last, they've gotten their Commercial T.I. Construction Permit. That means they can start getting ready to build out their brewery!

Mountains and West

Tommyknocker Brewery (Idaho Springs) - Need a good reason to believe Fall is coming? Tommyknocker just released their Small Patch Pumpkin Harvest Ale - now available! Stop by their taproom for a taste.

Backcountry Brewery (Frisco) - Beer is back on the breakfast menu! Or at least it soon will be. Backcountry's famous Breakfast Stout is being brewed again today. It's coming back, so get excited. Look for word on when this brew will be released (soon).
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Live Music in the Taproom - Beer and music go great together and many Colorado breweries and top watering holes offer live entertainment every day. Check out the Colorado Brewery Music Listings and find out who's playing at your favorite brewery or beer bar. Updated daily.

Colorado Beer News is published on Fermentedly Challenged daily (Monday through Friday) with craft beer stories as they break from newsletters, emails and social media sites. This news is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+). If you'd like to subscribe to this daily by email, sign-up here. Please, always drink responsibly and use a designated driver.